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Porsche has made itself a leader in this space, but there are plenty of other car brands that can benefit from this technology. Has there been any interest from anyone else in the car industry that has reached out to you to potentially partner on this? Or is it only Porsche and the private sector at the moment?

There are some talks with other car and motorcycle manufacturers who are interested in such fuel, but in the beginning we will not have the volume to support the world. In principle there is interest, and although we see ourselves as pioneers in this direction, we hope that others will follow.

Happenings

Everything you need to know about how Porsche wants to save combustion engines with eFuels

Porsche has just invested S$100m to produce synthetic fuels in Chile, with additional plants planned for USA and Australia.

This comes a few weeks after its mechanically-related compatriot, the Kia EV6, scooped the award for European Car of the Year 2022.

Happenings

Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins big at the World Car Awards 2022

IN Hyundai, Ioniq 5, EV, SUVs, World Car Awards

Hyundai next-gen EV scoops 3 titles including Best Car In The World; Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota win other categories.

We're not surprised at all. In fact, we'd have been quite disappointed if the e-tron GT didn't win. At what's dubbed the

Happenings

Running Rings Around Everyone Else with Audi e-tron GT's 2022 World Car Awards Win

IN Audi, E-tron GT, World Performance Car Award

e-tron GT's win brings in Audi's fifth World Performance Car Award

With my curiosity seriously piqued, I headed to my two favourite B-roads at night, and this was when my eyebrows nearly joined the pole star (that’s the one in outer space, not the one from Sweden).

Firstly, there is the Polestar 2’s seeming incomprehension of the concept of understeer. There were a couple of instances where I was pretty damn sure I’d overcooked my corner entry, but no, the car pretty much sailed into the bend once I lifted off the brakes - not even a moment’s hesitation waiting for the front tyres to regain their grip. Even with deliberately over-aggressive throttle application when exiting corners, the car settles into more of a four-wheel drift instead of washing out at the front end.

New

[Opinion] The Polestar 2 completely changed my mind about EVs. Here's why.

IN Polestar, 2, Polestar 2, EV, Sedan, Opinion

For BP’s diehard and handling-obsessed petrolhead, the future of cars in an EV-only world looked bleak; but the Polestar 2 might just be his guiding light

Where the electric dream short-circuits

I’m no scientist myself , but it’s highly unlikely that all our mobility needs can be met by electricity alone. Car makers might be diving into electrified vehicles in a big way (spurred on by legislation of course), but it’s far from a catch-all solution.

Flaws include its low energy density (by weight/volume), making the technology unsuitable for most heavy duty transport applications. Lorries, planes and ships would require such large battery packs that they’d be essentially useless at hauling cargo.

Happenings

Could synthetic fuels be the carbon-neutral power source we need?

IN Efuels, Synthetic fuels

“Electric power good, internal combustion bad” seems to be the popular thinking now, but electricity alone is very far from ideal. Can carbon-neutral synthetic fuels be the realistic solution the worl

Classics

Be mesmerised by priceless classics drifting on a frozen lake at ICE St Moritz

IN Concours, ICE St Moritz, Classic cars, Drifting

A gazillion times better than Disney On Ice

The electric premium crossover scored a total of 279 points, fending off a shortlist that was almost entirely comprised of pure EVs, a clear indication of the direction the automotive industry is trending towards. This is the first time that Kia, or any other South Korean car manufactuer, has won the prestigious title, and the third time for an EV.

Happenings

Kia EV6 wins European Car of the Year 2022

IN Kia, EV6, EV, Awards

Electric crossover takes the gong ahead of an almost all-EV final shortlist

Factor in the current COE price of $82k and the M340i comes within striking distance of the $376,581 Audi S4, also an all-wheel drive 3-litre turbocharged sport sedan that makes 353hp and 500Nm of torque. Altogether, that’s good for an electronically-limited 250km/h top speed and 4.7 second sprint from 0-100km/h. Compelling?

Moreover, even though it still sports a straight-6 turbo engine, the M340i is now available in Singapore only with all-wheel drive, or xDrive as BMW calls it. Cue moans and groans from hardcore BMW enthusiasts.

Since the regular G20 has already been covered in a previous article, we’ll simply focus on what makes this an M Performance vehicle.

The Important Bits

The M340i features bulging intakes up front, which sets it apart from the regular 3er and makes that front-end look sharper and meaner. Don’t be deceived by those slim headlights though – they’re up there with the best that we‘ve tested.

New

BMW M340i xDrive: Formerly known as Prince

IN BMW, M, M340i, XDrive

True commitment to (most of) BMW’s traditional values is needed

So, to embrace this (unavoidable) future of electric mobility, we rocked on down to electric avenue EV Weekend. Held at The Forum in Resorts World Sentosa, the event is Singapore’s first-ever EV showcase with ten cars on display. Happening from now untill 12th December both physically and virtually, you can either pop over to RWS or visit the brands’ virtual showrooms here.

The event not only showcases the latest EVs under one roof, but also includes information corners on how you can transition from an ICE vehicle to an EV. You can also learn more about Singapore’s upcoming EV infrastructure, and the future of electric mobility in Singapore.

The road to the future is electric, and here’s what we saw when we took a stroll down it:

BMW iX

Happenings

We Rock Down to Electric Avenue

IN EV Weekend, EV, Electric Vehicles

Ok, catchy title aside, it’s actually Singapore’s first-ever EV Weekend. We check out ten hot electric vehicles, including the latest BMW iX!

Melvin Goh is a Scorpio. Therefore, it is appropriate that his homegrown electric vehicle (EV) company is called Scorpio Electric.

Happenings

Scorpio Electric X1 Unveiled

IN Scorpio, Electric, X1, Ev, Motorcycle, Scooter, Motorbike

Singapore enters the EV bike world with its first homegrown scooter.

It’s the original luxury SUV, with the list of owners reading like a who’s who of Hollywood. Daniel Craig, Victoria Beckham, Kanye West… these are just some celebs that have chosen Range Rovers to pootle around in. Amidst all the luxury, this crowd is eventually going to get bored, thus JLR have now released a new one.

Smoother, Neater Styling

Happenings

Next-Gen Range Rover Unveiled

IN Land Rover, Range Rover, EV, Wearnes

The OG luxo-SUV gets updated, with options for a seven-seat configuration and full-electric drivetrain for the very first time.

By next year, they intend to have an electric offering in each segment. And, by 2025, there’ll be an electric variant of every model they make. The end goal is to have a lineup that’s completely electric (or at least a plug-in hybrid) by 2030.

Of course, this goal of electrification really depends on the EV infrastructure of each of their consumer markets. In Singapore, this goal seems achievable, given the Government’s Green Plan that aims to put 60,000 EV charging points nationwide.

I wanna be part of this!

Already thinking of going electric? Mercedes-EQ has you covered with the new EQA.

Happenings

The Mercedes-EQ EQA is the gateway to the electric age

IN Mercedes, Mercedes-EQ, EQA, Mercedes-EQ EQA

Mercedes-EQ is betting on their compact EQA for owners looking to go electric, in the brand’s push to be fully electric by 2030.

Being the sole tyre supplier to Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship - as well as having a presence in almost any racing series you can think of - you know the company has pedigree and the technical know-how to make a world-class tyre, whether on the road or off it.

But with a lineup of tyres to suit cars and SUVs of any size and budget, knowing which model to choose can be a bit of a black art (and not just because they're black!). So to help ensure you get the most out of your Pirelli tyre, here’s a quick guide:

P ZERO (PZ4)

The Pit

Picking the perfect Pirellis for your car

IN Pirelli, P Zero, Cinturato, Scorpion Verde, Pirelli tyres, Tyres, New tyres

As one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers, Pirelli makes a wide range of products to suit nearly any car. But which one will bring out the best in yours? This handy guide breaks it down.

Main concerns

Topping the list were beliefs that EVs are difficult to charge and lack of range as compared to their petrol-powered brethren.

Despite this, an overwhelming 87% of respondents indicated reduction in carbon emissions as a key benefit of EVs. 65% noted increasing number of government incentives, and 59% pointed to the financial savings when compared to using petrol.

“It is encouraging to see the growing appetite for electrified vehicles, and that Singaporean drivers understand the benefits of owning an EV,” said Ms Preeti Gupta, Corporate Affairs Director & Sustainability Lead, BMW Group Asia. “With a 27% increase in EVs purchased in 1H 2021 compared to all of 2020, it is clear Singaporean drivers are ready to integrate electrified vehicles into their daily lives. However, based on our research, we still have work to do when it comes to educating consumers on charging and range.”

What drives EV adoption rates

64% of respondents pointed at a longer warranty period of up to 10 years, while 58% noted good aftersales service would motivate them to purchase an EV for their next car.

Following closely behind were performance at 55%, build quality at 43% and technological features at 42%.

Government incentives and EV uptake

72% of respondents said government incentives and access to public charging facilities were most likely to influence their purchase of an EV, while 70% noted access to home-charging being important.

The usage of EVs was more predominantly weighted toward running daily errands with 62% of respondents, while 40% would commute to and from work and 33% would enjoy weekend leisure trips in an EV.

“Today’s electric vehicles have more than enough range to support daily driving needs,” said Ms Gupta. “The average Singaporean drivers commutes 55km/day, and many electric vehicles allow them to drive anywhere from four to eight days without requiring a recharge.”

Happenings

Almost half of Singaporean drivers want to buy electrified vehicles …

IN BMW Group Asia, Study, Survey, PHEV, EV, Electrified vehicles

… a study by BMW Group Asia shows.

The Dogfights

The Belgian started at row one for the first sprint together with fellow Belgian and Comtoyou Team Audi Sport driver Frédéric Vervisch, and stayed up ahead of his teammate in a 1-2 formation despite the safety car being deployed at one point.

A hard attack on the last lap dropped Vervisch back to fourth, but Magnus kept his cool and collected the chequered flag with a 2.1-second lead, thereby also winning the Trophy classification for privateers – an early birthday present for the soon-to-be 22-year old.

The second sprint saw Vervisch brilliantly fighting his way from ninth on start to second at the chequered flag, and setting the fastest lap time in the process, bringing home another trophy for Audi Sport customer racing.

The Car

Impressively, the 340hp Audi RS3 LMS gen II has racked up five podium places in the FIA WTCR. Once price and specifications have been finalized, customers’ can expect their cars in the third quarter of 2021.

This touring car has been homologated for TCR racing, and combines cost-effective technology – from top-notch cockpit ergonomics to deeply configurable axle kinematics – while being customer-racing centric, with durable service lifespans of major components. This enables the Audi RS3 LMS gen II to race in about 30 licensed racing series globally as a worthy successor to the highly successful RS3 LMS that came before it.

Motorsports

Remarkable first victory in the new Audi RS3 LMS for privateer Gilles Magnus ...

IN Audi, Sport, RS3, LMS, WTCR, FIA, Customer, Privateer

… spelling the second victory for the Audi RS 3 LMS gen II in just six weeks!

The President Speaks

“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says
Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important
automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of
Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected
and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams’.

Happenings

Retro, Not Retro: 21st Century LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH Unveiled

IN Lamborghini, Countach, LPI, 800-4, 2022

A ‘few-off’ 112-unit production run pays homage to the legend with the same name from the 70s and 80s

Just before its debut in the first quarter of 2022, a crossover EV model, the iX will be launched in Q4 of 2021.

Happenings

BMW i4: four reasons why this EV is cool (and 1 reason why it isn’t).

IN BMW, BMW i4, BMW 4 Series, BMW Coupes, BMW EV, EV

Set to be launched in Q1 of 2022, the full-electric BMW i4 eDrive40 will be followed by an M version.

This isn’t an all-new car of course, nor is it even a facelift (that comes next year, when the Countryman gets new headlights and Union Jack-themed taillights just like the rest of the Mini range, as well as new digital displays). But though it looks no different, the 2020 Countryman JCW’s updates run far deeper than facelifts conventionally do.

With 306hp and 450Nm now on tap, the new Countryman JCW has made gains of 75hp and 100Nm over the 2019 model - a full one-third more power and torque than before. That’s all courtesy of an updated version of the B48 2.0-litre turbo engine, which is now in the same spec as you’d find in the BMW M135i, M235i, and X2 M35i.

As a result, the 0-100km/h time drops from 6.5 to 5.1 seconds, and it’s powerful enough flat-out to warrant a 250km/h electronic speed limiter. It’s rather a different beast to drive now, and finally feels special enough to justify its existence (and its price tag).

New

Rally the Troops | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works

IN MINI, Countryman, JCW, John Cooper Works, MINI Countryman, MINI John Cooper Works

The biggest and most expensive Mini you can buy gets a lot more power for 2020, finally giving it performance that’s worthy of the JCW name.

Happenings

The different flavours of BMW Luxury

IN BMW, GKL, GKL Range, BMW 7, 7 Series, BMW 8, 8 Series, BMW X7, X7, Luxury Cars

BMW Luxury motoring is defined in 3 different ways as shown by these flagship models.

However if you really want the full warp drive experience, there’s a sequence of setting the car up first: put it in Sport Plus Mode, hold the brake firmly with your left foot, and nail the accelerator to the carpet with your right foot until “Launch Control Activated” shows up in the driver’s display. This then sets the electric motors to unleash a maximum combined total of 571hp and 650Nm of torque when the brake pedal is released.

The rest of the time, the Taycan 4S’ power output reverts to a more sustainable 490hp.

New

The Future Is... Here? | Porsche Taycan 4S

IN Porsche, Taycan, Taycan 4S, Porsche Taycan, Porsche Taycan 4S

Much has been said about the higher-end Taycan Turbo and Turbo S. This entry point to an all-electric Porsche however is probably the best real world option.